Cinema Folklife–Music Movies to See at SIFF 2013

Image from The Broken Circle Breakdown

Our good friends at SIFF offer some truly tempting counter-programming during the Folklife Festival. Here’s a few movies we think are particularly interesting for the Folklife community…most of which don’t even conflict with coming to the Festival!

A Tribute to the Music of Muscle Shoals with Patterson and David Hood

Muscle Shoals

May 29 & 30
In a small Alabama town called Muscle Shoals, legendary musicians including Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett gathered to create music that would later inspire the likes of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more. Covering the history of this unlikely musical birthplace and the music that sprang from its soil.

The Broken Circle Breakdown

May 19 & 24
Set to a fantastic bluegrass soundtrack, tattooist Elise and America-obsessed cowboy Didier fall in love, only to later have their happiness tested when their daughter falls ill. Based on the play by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels.

Harana

May 25 & 26
U.S.-based classical guitarist Florante Aguilar journeys back to his Filipino roots to search for the lost voices of harana, a traditional Filipino form of serenade. He gathers the three remaining master haranistas, bringing this fading culture back to life.

The Otherside

May 31 & June 2
A documentary on Seattle’s underground hip-hop scene featuring interviews and concert footage taken from all over the U.S., Daniel Torok covers the triumphs, failures, and stereotypes of Seattle hip-hop artists.

Sing Me the Songs That Say I Love You – A Concert for Kate McGarrigle

May 25 & 27
This simply and intimately shot concert film captures the emotions of sibling performers Martha and Rufus Wainwright as they pay tribute to their recently departed mother, beloved Canadian folk musician Kate McGarrigle.

Twenty Feet from Stardom

June 1 & 2Twenty Feet from Stardom follows several diverse and gifted backup singers living in the shadows of superstardom. Although these singers are usually relegated to the margins, their work has defined countless songs that remain in our hearts and collective consciousness.